Everyone Needs A Jericho Experience
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And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house. And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully. And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner. And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
Jericho Road
Jericho Road
INTRODUCTION:
What a story this is—a well known, well-to-do, public man climbing a tree to get a look at Jesus who was passing by!
(a) It is the record of a sudden conversion
(b) It is the story of the conversion of an unlikely man.
(c) This man's conversion was thorough.
How did the miracle happen?
How can one be saved and know it?
I. FIRST, YOU MUST MEAN BUSINESS AND SEEK THE LORD WITH DETERMINATION.
And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature.
Was Zacchaeus simply curious to see who Jesus was? He was tremendously earnest, for he "sought Jesus," but what he did not realize was that Jesus was seeking him.
Here, then, we have a seeking Saviour and a seeking sinner, and the two are bound to meet.
II. YOU MUST OVERCOME SOME OBSTACLES.
And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature.
Consider the valid reasons that Zacchaeus could have given for not seeking Christ.
But Zacchaeus overcame all these objections.
He even overcame his pride, the greatest hindrance of all; and if you are not saved you will have to overcome certain obstacles before you can come into a saving relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.
III. YOU MUST RECEIVE THE LORD JESUS AS YOUR PERSONAL SAVIOUR.
And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house. And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully.
A Christian, a believer, one who is "saved," is one who has received the Lord Jesus. No-one is a Christian who has not received the Lord Jesus.
This is a very personal matter.
"He (Zacchaeus) received Him (Jesus)."
IV. YOU MUST EXPECT AND BE READY FOR MISUNDERSTANDING AND OPPOSITION.
And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.
This opposition was directed against the Lord, but Zacchaeus was at the center of it.
And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.
The people "murmured," but Zacchaeus took his stand with Christ, although it meant being a target for the criticism and misunderstanding of the crowd around.
If you are going to be saved you must be prepared for this.
Are you prepared?
V. YOU MUST CONFESS THE LORD TO OTHERS.
And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.
Zacchaeus did not go and hide.
He had no intention of being a secret disciple.
He at once identified himself with the Lord.
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
If you are going to be a real Christian and have the assurance of salvation, open confession of faith in Christ is absolutely essential.